OFCC issues first ''Division of Wildlife Concealed Carry Status Report''

The Ohio Division of Wildlife has been reviewing the impact of the Ohio concealed carry law as it relates to hunting regulations, shooting ranges operated by the Division, wildlife areas, and other issues.

The Division presented the proposals for the 2005 – 2006 hunting regulations to the Ohio Wildlife Council on January 5, 2005. Disappointingly, these proposals did not include any changes to the current Ohio hunting regulations regarding concealed carry.

To download a summary of current regulations, along with commentary from OFCC’s Senate District 10 Coordinator, Larry S. Moore, click here (.pdf). Please download and distribute this report at your conservation club or hunting club and ask your fellow hunters to contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

To read the report online, click on the "Read More..." link below.

DIVISION OF WILDLIFE CONCEALED CARRY STATUS REPORT

The Ohio Division of Wildlife has been reviewing the impact of the Ohio concealed carry law as it relates to hunting regulations, shooting ranges operated by the Division, wildlife areas, and other issues. The Division presented the proposals for the 2005 – 2006 hunting regulations to the Ohio Wildlife Council on January 5, 2005. These proposals did not include any changes to the current Ohio hunting regulations regarding concealed carry.

Summary of current regulations:

• Concealed carry is not permitted while deer hunting.
• A firearm cannot be carried while using archery equipment to hunt deer. • Hunters cannot carry more than one firearm while deer hunting.
• Hunters cannot carry a handgun while deer hunting during any primitive weapon (muzzleloading) deer season.
• Firearms may not be carried while training dogs for furbearers (coon dogs) at night prior to hunting seasons.
• Concealed carry may be permitted when upland game hunting depending on location, private property, public wildlife areas, and any local wildlife area regulations. Very confusing and concealed carry is not recommended to ensure hunters avoid problems.

I met with Assistant Chief Randy Miller for a period following the formal meeting. I had written Asst. Chief Miller detailing the problem and confusion with the current regulations. I also requested the Division allow concealed handgun license holders to carry concealed while hunting.

Asst. Chief Miller assured me that the Division is continuing to look at these regulations. The Division is committed to making changes. However, Asst. Chief Miller could not provide any details about what changes might be made or any timeframe when the changes may be made.

This situation is not right and not consistent with the current Ohio concealed carry law. I give credit to the Division for reviewing the regulations and accepting my input. The Ohio hunting regulations need to be consistent with state law. The Ohio hunting regulations need to be consistent across Ohio to the maximum extent possible. Concealed handgun license holders should be permitted to carry concealed while hunting at their discretion. Many will not desire to carry two firearms while hunting. Many hunters with a concealed handgun license want the ability to carry their hunting handgun concealed while deer hunting if for nothing else than protection from the weather conditions.

What can be done? The Ohio Division of Wildlife needs to hear from hunters who want the right to carry extended to hunting. How quickly the Division of Wildlife addresses the issue depends on the response from their constituent hunters.

Contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife asking that they complete the review of the hunting regulations for concealed carry. Respectively request that the concealed handgun license holder be allowed to chose to carry a concealed handgun while hunting. Hunters without a concealed handgun license should continue to be prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun.

Contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife at:

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. G
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
Attn: Assistant Chief Randy Miller

Email address: [email protected]

The Division of Wildlife holds a series of open house public meetings each year in March. This year the meetings are March 6, 2005 between noon and 3:00 PM at the following district locations. All locations are handicap accessible. The district headquarters offices are state owned buildings and posted. The Greene County Fish and Game Association Clubhouse is not posted. There is no liquor license. The association donates the use of the clubhouse to the Division of Wildlife so concealed carry there is permitted.

District 1 Headquarters
1500 Dublin Road
Columbus

District 2 Headquarters
952 Lima Avenue
Findlay

District 3 Headquarters
912 Portage Lakes Drive
Akron

District 4 Headquarters
360 East State Street
Athens

District 5 @ Greene County Fish and Game Association Clubhouse
1538 Union Road Xenia

As always, be factual and respectful when requesting the changes. I firmly believe that concealed carry while hunting does not provide any increased risk to the Division of Wildlife officers, just as legal licensed concealed carry does not provide any increased risk to any law enforcement officer.

If you are a member of a conservation club or hunting club, please distribute this report at your club and ask your fellow hunters to contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Sincerely,

Larry S. Moore
OFCC Senate District 10 Coordinator